17Beta-estradiol prevents retinal ganglion cell loss induced by acute rise of intraocular pressure in rat.
Glaucoma, is a progressive optic neuropathy often associated with increased intraocular pressure (IOP) and characterized by progressive death of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs). High acute rise of IOP is a model for retinal ischemia and may represent a model of acute angle closure glaucoma. Here we have used this experimental model in combination with a neurochemical and neuropathological approach to gain more insight in the neuroprotective profile of 17beta-estradiol (E2), a steroid hormone, which has been shown to increase the viability, survival, and differentiation of primary neuronal cultures from different brain areas including amygdala, hypothalamus, and neocortex. Our data demonstrate that systemic administration of E2 significantly reduces RGC loss induced by high IOP in rat. In addition, pretreatment with E2, 30 min before ischemia, minimizes the elevation of glutamate observed during the reperfusion period. These effects seem to be in part mediated by the activation of the estrogen receptor, since a pretreatment with ICI 182-780, a specific estrogen receptor antagonist, partially counteracts the neuroprotection afforded by the estrogen.
Russo
Rossella
R
Department of Pharmacobiology, University of Calabria, 87036 Arcavacata di Rende, Italy.
Cavaliere
Federica
F
Watanabe
Chizuko
C
Nucci
Carlo
C
Bagetta
Giacinto
G
Corasaniti
Maria Tiziana
MT
Sakurada
Shinobu
S
Morrone
Luigi Antonio
LA
D000818:Animals; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004958:Estradiol / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004965:Estrogen Antagonists / Q000494:pharmacology; D004967:Estrogens / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000077267:Fulvestrant; D005901:Glaucoma / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D018698:Glutamic Acid / Q000378:metabolism; D007429:Intraocular Pressure / Q000187:drug effects*; D008297:Male; D009474:Neurons / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D012165:Retinal Ganglion Cells / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology
D004965:Estrogen Antagonists; D004967:Estrogens; D000077267:Fulvestrant; D018698:Glutamic Acid; D004958:Estradiol